Our journey took us from Boulia via the Donaghue and Plenty Highways west to the Northern Territory........ where narrow bitumen, corrugated gravel and sections of deep sand and bulldust were the norm, not to mention the flys.
Travelling west from Boulia the story of Min-Min Lights unfold
Middelton Pub.........a survivor from pioneering times
A Cobb & Co coach reminds us of the hardships of travel faced by the poineers
Photo opportunity at the Qld/NT border
Lorraine & Don Arrive in a cloud of dust
Don........"We made it"
Alice Springs to Hermannsburg......Red Centre Way
Grey sky greets us at Alice
Don & Lorraine........celebrating another anniversary
Ellery Creek Big Hole.....reputedly always has water in it
Ormiston Gorge ..........a great spot for an overnight camp
Ormiston Groge .......reflections
Ormiston Gorge.........looking down the gorge from the lookout
Red Centre Way ...........West MacDonnell Ranges in the background frame a nearby reef of exposed rock
Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) .... an impact crater as seen from the road west of Hermannsburg
From inside Gosse Bluff .........the base is some 5km across so it is hard to capture the scale of the circular crater
Gosse Bluff...looking back over the access track into the crater
Finke River NP........Palm Valley
Crossing the dry bed of the Finke River as we make our way to Palm Valley
The MacDonnell Ranges Cycad grows only in the central Australian ranges (although there are other varieties elsewhere)
The exposed rock creek bed of Palm Valley
Rock form silhouette in the form of an aboriginal worrier's head......
Layered patterns in the exposed bedrock
Palm Valley is home to the rare Central Australia Red Cabbage Tree
"Battleship" Ridge is an imposing sight against the clear sky - view from Kalarranga Lookout
Looking upstream into Palm Valley Gorge from the surrounding plateau
After Hermannsburg we travelled via the Mereenie Loop Road to King's Canyon
The setting sun highlights the severe escarpment of the George Gill Range
The visitor information structure at the start of the gorge walk, a new addition since our last visit eight years ago.
Spectacular views from the ridge top ...........
The walls of Kings Canyon are over 100m high - hikers are mere specks on the opposite side of the canyon rim track.
Kathleen Springs a permanent spring at the base of rock in the George Gill Range
Ruins of old cattle yards used by early European settlers to herd stock in the confines of the gorge near Kathleen Springs
Mount Connor is prominent in the distance ........... affectionately "Fooluru" by the locals
On arrival at Yalara first on the agenda, sunset at Uluru to watch the changing palate of colours.
The next day was an early start for sunrise at the Rock. Later a walk (some 10 km) around the base of Uluru to explore the many facets of this amazing monolith.
An evening dining under the stars and a walk through the amazing "Field of Light" was a fitting close to our time at the Rock.
Sundowners at the Rock
Lorraine and Don with us for sundowners
Golden hour of sunset
Watching the sunrise at Uluru - The Olgas (Kata-Tjuta) in the background
Uluru sunrise
We decide to walk around the rock ......
From a distance it appears to be a smooth surface......... in reality it's quite diverse environment comprising caves, overhangs, shapes and colours
Rainbow serpent artwork adorns the wall of an overhanging cave
A breaking wave shaped rock overhang attracts the attention of a photographer
The image of an aboriginal worrier appears etched naturally in the rock face
.... and the gaping mouth of a whale
Shapes and colours of the rock against against the vivid blue sky inspire the imagination..........
It's a long way to the top .............. hundreds of tourists still venture up the face of Uluru despite the wishes of the traditional owners
Sunset looking over the Field of Light towards Uluru ......... glorious shades of pink and blue wash over the rock and in the sky
Cheers...... Dining under the stars, a great experience
A walk through the Field of Light
The Field of Light ...... trees silhouetted against the horizon
Floating light forms..........
East Macdonnell Ranges
Emily Gorge - our first to explore as we head east from Alice
Coroboree Rock - This amazing column of grey dolomite rock stands prominently above the adjacent landscape.
Brumbies make their way along a dry creek in the afternoon
Ross River Resort campground - It is a tourist resort formed around the original Loves Creek Homestead built in the 1890's.
Brumbies graze in the early morning sunshine
Arltunga....we stop along the Binns Track crossroads to check out the ruins of the old settlement.Arltunga is a deserted gold rush town located 110 km) east of Alice Springs, It is of major historical significance as the first major European settlement in Central Australia.
Arltunga....rudimentry markers identfy the grave sites
This is typical of the style of dwelling constructed by miners in Arltunga’s early mining period (1887-1913). Usually roofed over with a canvas tent fly supported by timber poles.
Looking east through the valley towards the Great Western Mine....unfortunately we didnt have time to explore the full extent of the Arltunga Reserve
Morning walk through the hills N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park
N'Dhala Gorge rock formations
N'Dhala - a Black-footed Rock Wallaby
N'Dhala - a cave shelter in the gorge
N'Dhala - nature's artwork
For the next leg of our journey we traveled up the Stuart Highway to Katherine where we headed west, our final stop in the Northern Territory - the Keep River National Park
Crossings the Tropic of Capricorn ....... a little further from home this time
Barrow Ck .........we drop into the Historic Overland Telegraph Station
Barrow Ck Gaol ....... a tree with legs!!
Grey Nomad must-do location .......
Checking out the quirky interior decor ........
Meanwhile at Larrimah ...... the Pink Panrher chills
Bitter Springs ........ an oasis in "We of the Never-Never" country
Bitter springs ........ mist rising from the hot spring water in the early morning
Welcome to Katherine
Katherine Gorge .......... a tour boat cruises on the river below
............. amazing shapes of the famous Boab Tree, no two alike
Our journey west takes us across the Victoria River ............. we pause to take a cruise up the river to the escarpments of the Yambarran Ranges.
Victoria River ....... a White Bellied Sea Eagle soars overhead waiting for a handout
Gregory tree, Victoria River - carvings circa 1850 are still visible.
Severe rock escarpments of the Yambarran Ranges highlighted by the setting sun.
Victoria River .......... our only sighting of saltwater croc.
Sunset behind the Yambarran Ranges.
Keep River National Park ......... The setting sun highlights the hill behind our Goorrandalng campsite
Keep River National Park ............. our neighbour, A Stirated Pardalote perches in the tree above burrow on the ground.
Keep River National Park ........ a mini Bungle-Bungle - a similar geological structure as Purnululu
Keep River ........ Dramatic weathered faces and beehive shaped domes
Keep River .......... Scarlet-flowered Yellowjacket (Eucalyptus phoenicea),
Keep River ........... "Yogi Bear" rock
Keep River ......... Cockatoo Lagoon looking north....in the foreground bottom right you might see a water python on the edge
